Simulation experience with physical objects

ABSTRACT

A simulation adapter can be attached to a real-world physical object and adapted to communicate one or more characteristics and/or simulation events associated with the real-world physical object to a simulation device. The simulation device is adapted to generate a simulation experience based upon the one or more characteristics of the real-world physical object and/or the simulation events associated with the real-world physical object.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to simulated experiences, suchas that experienced in gaming environments and augmented reality(AR)/virtual reality (VR) environments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

VR can refer to the creation of a fully immersive virtual world/spaceexperience with which users may interact. AR can refer to the blendingof VR elements and real life. For example, AR may involve providing alive displayed experience of a physical, real-world environment in whichthe real-world elements are augmented by computer-generated sensoryinput. Still other environments, such as that created in a video game,can involve simulating player interaction(s) within the gamingenvironment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with one embodiment, a computer-implemented methodcomprises obtaining a characteristics profile comprising one or morecharacteristics indicative of a physical object, and transmitting thecharacteristics profile to a simulation device. The method furthercomprises interacting with the simulation device such that simulationevents experienced by or initiated by the physical object to which asimulation adapter is attached are represented in a simulationexperience generated by the simulation device commensurate with the oneor more characteristics.

In accordance with one embodiment, a computer-implemented methodcomprises receiving at a simulation device, a characteristics profilecomprising one or more characteristics indicative of a physical object,and matching the characteristics profile of the physical object with acorresponding performance profile. The method further comprisesgenerating a simulation experience based upon at least one of the one ormore characteristics, wherein simulation events involving use of thephysical object are represented based upon the performance profile.

In accordance with one embodiment, a system comprises a simulationdevice adapted to generate a simulation experience based upon one ormore characteristics associated with a physical object and one or moresimulation event occurrences associated with the physical object. Thesystem further comprises a simulation adapter attached to the physicalobject and adapted to communicate the one or more characteristicsassociated with the physical object and the one or more simulation eventoccurrences associated with the physical object to the simulationdevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure, in accordance with one or more variousembodiments, is described in detail with reference to the followingfigures. The figures are provided for purposes of illustration only andmerely depict typical or example embodiments.

FIG. 1A is an operational flow diagram illustrating an example processfor providing a simulation experience with physical objects inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 1B is an operational flow diagram illustrating an example processfor providing a simulation experience with physical objects inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example system for providing a simulationexperience using physical objects in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 2B illustrates example components of the simulation adapter andsimulation device elements in the system of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C illustrates an example simulation adapter in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 2D illustrates an example simulation adapter in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example simulation experience in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example simulation experience in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an example computing module that may be used to implementvarious features of embodiments described in the present disclosure.

The figures are not exhaustive and do not limit the present disclosureto the precise form disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems that provide or generate simulated environments often rely ondedicated input mechanisms. For example, conventional gaming systemsrely on one or more dedicated controllers that allow a user or player tointeract with the gaming system, such as control a virtual object withina game. These dedicated controllers generally have the same form factorand functionality, which may comprise a one- or two-handed device thatincludes one or more directional pads and one or more buttons.Regardless of the type of virtual object being controlled, whether it isvirtual athletic equipment, a weapon or some other object, the user'ssimulated experience is limited because the dedicated controller doesnot accurately represent the virtual object being used or controlled.

Some systems rely on dedicated “wand” controllers that can be thought ofas being somewhat representative of a virtual object, such as a bat orracquet. Some games, such as guitar simulation games, rely onguitar-shaped controllers operated using buttons and simulated“strummer” rather than actual strings. Still other dedicated controllerscomprise a simulacrum of an object in which a wand controller can beinserted. Nevertheless, these systems and controllers fall short of an“accurate” experience. That is, a toy-like version of a racquet cannotaccurately simulate the weight and swing characteristics of an actualracquet, nor can a toy-like version of a guitar simulate the playingcharacteristics of a real guitar.

Accordingly, various embodiments of the present disclosure are directedto a simulation adapter 204 (FIG. 2A) that can be attached to a(real-world) physical object 202, where the simulation adapter 204allows a user to interact with or engage in a simulation experiencewithin a simulation environment using that actual, physical object 202.In some embodiments, the characteristics of the physical object 202 canbe relayed to a simulation device or system 206 such that theperformance of the physical object 202 in response to simulated eventscan be accurately represented. In some embodiments, one or morecharacteristics of the physical object 202 can be customized orenhanced. In some embodiments, the simulation adapter 204 can beconfigurable such that it can be attached to different types of physicalobjects and appropriately configured to reflect those different types ofphysical objects. In still other embodiments, the use of simulationadapter 204 may be bypassed. Accordingly, the simulation device orsystem 206 may be utilized to directly input and/or receive one or morecharacteristics profiles associated with the physical object 202.

As used herein, the term physical object can refer to a real-worldanalog used to interact with or interact in a simulated environment,such as a gaming environment, an AR/VR experience, and the like. It isdistinguished from dedicated controllers that are used solely forcontrolling or interacting within a simulated experience or environment.For example, a user may use a real-world baseball bat (useable in reallife) to also play a simulated baseball game generated or presented by agaming system.

FIG. 1A illustrates an example process performed by a simulation adapterin accordance with various embodiments for providing a simulatedexperience using a physical object.

At operation 100, a characteristics profile comprising one or morecharacteristics indicative of a physical object is obtained. This allowsa simulation adapter to be used with a desired physical object. Theremay be more than one characteristics profiles stored in a simulationadapter or the simulation adapter may be able to obtain additionalcharacteristics profiles associated with other types of physicalobjects. The manner in which characteristics profiles may be obtained,stored, and utilized will be further described below.

For example, if the simulation adapter is to be used with a physicalobject such as a real-world baseball bat, the simulation adapter can beconfigured to operate in a baseball bat mode. This can be achieved byretrieving baseball bat characteristics profile from local memory. Asimulation adapter can locally store one or more characteristicsprofiles in local memory, and a user need only activate a desiredcharacteristics profile. As illustrated in FIG. 2C, a simulation adapter204 may have a user interface, such as a display 204F (e.g.,touchscreen) and/or one or more buttons 204G to navigate through thedisplay. In some embodiments, simulation adapter 204 may have amicrophone 204H that the user may use to interact with simulationadapter 204 via voice commands. In some embodiments, as illustrated inFIG. 2D, the simulation adapter 204 may have a simpler user interfacesuch as a single button 2041 which the user may press to activate aparticular characteristics profile. When more than one characteristicsprofile is stored in the simulation adapter, sequential button pressesor a particular combination of button presses may activate a particularcharacteristics profile. In some embodiments, the simulation adapter maybe communicatively connected to a personal computing device, such as aPC, a smart phone, a tablet, a dedicated configuration device, a gamingconsole, a simulation device (discussed in greater detail below), orsimilar device. A particular characteristics profile can be selected byinteracting with the simulation adapter through the personal computingdevice. It should be noted that simulation adapter 204 may also beconfigured to perform one or more calibration techniques to adjust ortune certain aspects of simulation adapter 204, such as sensors, to aparticular physical object.

Alternatively, characteristics profiles can be obtained from a remotedatabase or server and loading them in the simulation adapter. Referringto FIG. 2A which illustrates an example system in which variousembodiments may be implemented, simulation adapter 204 may obtain one ormore characteristics profiles from a simulation device 206 and/or one ormore service providers 214, such as an online gaming host, amanufacturer or retailer of the physical object 202, or some other datarepository or source of characteristics profile information. Serviceproviders 214 may comprise a server 216 and a database 218 from whichcharacteristics profiles can be obtained via network 212. In someembodiments, one or more characteristics profiles may be input, updated,and/or deleted through an communicatively connected computing device,such as a smart phone, PC, tablet, etc. In some embodiments, simulationadapter 204 may store one or more characteristics profile values oridentifiers that can be associated with one or more correspondingcharacteristics profiles stored from the simulation device 206 and/orthe one or more service providers 214. In this way, an entirecharacteristics profile need not be downloaded to simulation adapter204.

Alternatively still, physical product 202 may have a product identifier,such as a universal product code (UPC), a serial number, a model number,a QR code, or other identifier which a user may scan with a device, suchas a smart phone or the simulation adapter 204. The scanning device canobtain a corresponding characteristics profile associated with thephysical object 202 from local memory, simulation device 206 and/or theone or more service providers 214. The scanning device may transmit thecharacteristics profile to simulation adapter 204 using wirelesscommunications via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, infrared communications, Near FieldCommunications (NFC), for example, or through a wired connection, suchas via Universal Serial Bus (USB).

Network 212 may be any communications network such as a cellular or datanetwork, a satellite network, an intranet, an extranet, a virtualprivate network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN(WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), a personal area network (PAN), aportion of the Internet, a portion of the Public Switched TelephoneNetwork (PSTN), or any combination thereof. Accordingly, network 212 mayemploy various communication media, such as a coaxial cable, fiber opticcable system, Ethernet, radio waves, etc. Further still, network 212 maybe one or more combinations of any of the aforementioned networks.

At operation 102, the characteristics profile obtained by simulationadapter may be transmitted to a simulation device. Referring again toFIG. 2A, an example of such a simulation device, simulation device 206,may be communicatively connected to simulation adapter 204. Simulationdevice 206 may be a set top box, a gaming console, or in someembodiments, may be part of a TV, monitor, head-mounted display (HMD)device, or some similar device. Transmission of the characteristicsprofile can occur wirelessly via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, infraredcommunications, NFC, for example, or through a wired connection, such asvia USB. In this way, simulation device 206 can be apprised of at leastthe type of physical object 202 that is to be used for interaction withor in a simulation environment generated by simulation device 206.

At operation 104, simulation adapter 204 and simulation device 206 mayinteract such that simulation events experienced or initiated by thephysical object 202 to which simulation adapter 204 is attached orassociated are represented in a simulation experience generated bysimulation device 206. The representation is commensurate with the oneor more characteristics. For example, the movement of physical object202 or a user's movement relative to physical object 202 can be relayedto simulation device 206 via simulation adapter 204. In this way,simulation device 206 can accurately represent physical object 202 inthe simulation experience.

The simulation experience may be presented on a presentation outputdevice 210. In some embodiments, presentation output device 210 maycomprise at least one of a display 208 for presenting visual aspects ofthe simulation experience, and one or more speakers 209 through whichaudio aspects of the simulation experience may be presented.

Display 208 may provide a simulation experience through visualinformation presented thereon. Visual information may includeinformation that may be observed visually, such as an image, video,and/or other visual information. Display 208 may be included in or beembodied as one or more of an HMD 410 (see FIG. 4), an HMD in whichsimulation device 206 (or alternatively, presentation device 210) may beintegrated, a see-through display, an optical see-through display, avideo see-through display, a visor, eyeglasses, sunglasses, a computer,a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet, a mobile device, a projector, amonitor, a TV, and/or other displays.

In some implementations, display 208 may include a motion, position,and/or orientation tracking component, so that the visual informationpresented on display 208 changes as the position and/or orientation ofdisplay 208, the user, and/or the physical object 202 changes. Display208 may be configured to display a simulation experience using AR, VR,or other simulation presentation technology. For example, display 208may visually provide the simulation experience by displaying an overlayimage over one or more of an image, a video, and/or other visualinformation so that one or more parts of real-world objects appear to beaugmented by one or more parts of virtual-world objects. In someimplementations, display 208 may use AR or VR technology to display asimulation experience by using systems and methods described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/966,754, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODSFOR AUGMENTING AN APPEARANCE OF AN ACTUAL VEHICLE COMPONENT WITH AVIRTUAL VEHICLE COMPONENT,” filed Dec. 11, 2015, the foregoing beingincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Other systems andmethods of providing a simulation experience are contemplated.

Speaker 209 may provide a simulation experience through audioinformation generated by speaker 209. Audio information may includeinformation that may be observed audibly. Audio information may includeone or more of sound, vibration and/or other audio informationassociated with a particular object from that object's characteristicsprofile, such as the sound of a particular tennis racquet, golf club,hockey stick, ball, weapon, baseball bat, etc. Speaker 209 may includeone or more of a headphone, an earphone, a headset, an earset, and/orother speakers. In some implementations, speaker 209 may include aspeaker associated with display 208.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example process performed by a simulation device,such as simulation device 206 of FIG. 2A, in accordance with variousembodiments for providing a simulated experience using a physicalobject, such as physical object 202. At operation 110, a characteristicsprofile is received. As described previously, a characteristics profilemay comprise one or more characteristics of a physical object. Thecharacteristics profile may be specified or selected by the user throughsimulation adapter 204, for example, and transmitted by simulationadapter 204 to simulation device 206. In this way, simulation device 206may be made aware of at least the type of object that physical object202 embodies, such as a baseball bat or tennis racquet.

At operation 112, the characteristics profile of the physical object maybe matched to a corresponding performance profile. For example, anddepending on the characteristics specified in its characteristicsprofile, a corresponding performance profile can be used to determinehow simulation device 206 will represent a simulation event or areaction to a simulation event associated with the use of physicalobject 202 by the user. That is, a particular type of baseball bat, sucha wooden baseball bat having a specified length and weight may behavedifferently or impart a different result when hitting a ball compared toan aluminum baseball bat having some other specified length and/orweight. In order to present an accurate simulation experience to theuser, simulation device 206 can utilize the performance profile thatcorresponds to the physical object (i.e., at least one or more of thecharacteristics specified in the characteristics profile) being used ina particular instance. That is, and at operation 114, a simulationexperience is generated based upon at least one of the one or morecharacteristics, wherein simulation events involving use of the physicalobject are represented based upon the performance profile. Thesimulation experience can be presented visually, audibly, haptically,and/or in other ways.

FIG. 2B illustrates example components that may make up simulationadapter 204 and simulation device 206. Simulation adapter 204 maycomprise the following components: a simulation profile component 204A;a simulation event occurrence component 204B; a simulation stimuligeneration component 204C; an environmental information component 204D,and at least one sensor 204E. Simulation device 206 may comprise thefollowing components: a simulation profile component 206A; a simulationevent occurrence component 206B; a simulation stimuli generationcomponent 206C; a simulation performance profile database 206D; asimulation provision component 206E; an environmental informationcomponent 206F; and at least one sensor 206G. It should be noted thatnot all of the aforementioned components are necessarily needed, andother components, such as local memory, processors, communicationcomponents, user interface components, etc. (some of which are depictedin FIGS. 2C, 2D, and 5) may be present.

Regarding simulation adapter 204, simulation profile component 204A mayretrieve and hold a particular characteristics profile selected orspecified by a user. Simulation profile component 204A may obtain thecharacteristics profile from a local memory unit, buffer, or cache.Alternatively, upon communicating with simulation device 206 and/or oneor more service providers 214, simulation profile component 204A maydownload or otherwise retrieve a characteristics profile from one ormore of these remotely located characteristics profile data stores. Uponestablishing a communications channel with simulation device 206, thecharacteristics profile may be transmitted to simulation device 206. Itshould be noted the content of a characteristics profile may differdepending on the type of physical object associated with thecharacteristics profile. Some characteristics profiles may simplyinclude information indicating a type of physical object, whereas somecharacteristics profiles may additionally include information indicatingcolor, weight, length, height, or any other characteristic that may berelevant in generating a simulation experience. In some embodiments,only information regarding one or more particular characteristics may besent to simulation device 206 rather than the entire characteristicsprofile. In some embodiments, a user may alter or otherwise update oneor more of the characteristics in a characteristics profile.

Simulation event occurrence component 204B may be configured to identifyoccurrences of simulation events within the simulation experience. Asimulation event may refer to one or more of specific motions, specificactions, specific sounds, specific locations, specific surroundings,and/or other specific conditions relating to the physical object, theuser of the physical object, and/or the contextual premise of thesimulation experience. Occurrences of simulation events may beidentified based on one or more of motion information, activityinformation, and environment information. Simulation event occurrencecomponent 204B may be configured to identify an occurrence of asimulation event when one or more of motion information, activityinformation, and/or environment information, indicates an occurrence ofone or more of specific motions, specific actions, specific sounds,specific locations, specific surroundings, and/or other specificconditions relating to the physical object and/or the user of thephysical object that correspond to a specific simulation event.

Environmental information component 204D may be configured to obtaininformation regarding the surrounding actions, elements, or otherrelevant factors or aspects of the surrounding environment that mayimpact or be affected by the use of the physical object. Simulationevent occurrence component 204B may identify occurrences of simulationevents based upon information received at environmental informationcomponent 204D or transmitted to simulation event occurrence component204B by environmental information component 204D. Without limitation,environmental information may include motion, action, sound, location,surroundings, and/or other information relating to a physical objectand/or a person using the physical object. Environmental information maybe obtained from output signals generated by sensor 204E.

Sensor 204E may include one or more of image sensors, audio sensors,temperature sensors, vehicle speed sensors, wheel speed sensors, motionsensors, accelerometers, tilt sensors, inclination sensors, angular ratesensors, gyroscopes, navigation sensors, geolocation sensors,magnetometers, radar detectors, radar sensors, proximity sensors,distance sensors, vibration sensors, light detection sensors, vehiclesensors, engine control module sensors, and/or other sensors. In someembodiments, sensors may further include cameras, a tracking marker,microphone, or any other component that captures environmentalinformation. In some implementations, sensor 204E may be installed insimulation adapter 204. In some implementations, sensor 204E may be wornby a user. In some implementations, sensor 204E may be installed in orotherwise coupled to simulation adapter 204. It should be noted thatalthough only one sensor 204E is illustrated, various embodimentscontemplate the use of more than one sensor or some combination of theaforementioned sensors.

Simulation stimulation generation component 204C may be configured togenerate simulation stimuli that correspond to simulation events forwhich occurrences are identified. A simulation stimulus may refer to oneor more of a visual, an audio, a haptic and/or other simulation that maychange a simulation experience. Simulation stimulation generationcomponent 204C may be configured to generate a simulation stimulus for asimulation event when the simulation stimulus corresponding to thesimulation event is found in the simulation information. Simulationstimulation generation component 204C may include one or more stimulioutput components (not shown), such as LED lights, one or more speakers,etc. Information for instructing simulation stimulation generationcomponent 204C to generate stimuli may be received from a correspondingsimulation stimuli generation component 206C of simulation device 206.

Referring to simulation device 206, the characteristics profile (orinformation therein) transmitted by simulation profile component 204Amay be received by a corresponding simulation profile component 206A.The user may alter or update one or more of the characteristics receivedby simulation profile component 206A. For example, the user may wish tocustomize aesthetic aspects to be represented in the simulationenvironment, such as color of the physical object, different material,branding, adding or subtracting graphics, etc. The user may wish toadjust certain characteristics so that the user can determine howchanges to one or more characteristics may affect the real-worldperformance of the physical object vis-à-vis the simulation environment.

Simulation device 206 may access simulation performance profile database206D to determine a corresponding performance profile based on thereceived characteristics profile or one or more information elementsindicating one or more characteristics gleaned from the characteristicsprofile. Alternatively, simulation device 206 may access a third partydatabase or service provider, such as service provider 214 of FIG. 2A,to obtain a relevant performance profile or performance parameters.Performance information contained in or obtained from one or more of theaforementioned data stores may be compiled by the user, a third party, aseller or manufacturer of the physical object. Performance informationmay also be crowd-sourced, obtained or derived from historicalreal-world usage of the physical object itself or the same/similarphysical objects by other users or entities.

Simulation event occurrence component 206B is configured to receiveevent occurrence information from the simulation event occurrencecomponent 204B of simulation adapter 204. Similar to simulation eventoccurrence component 204B, simulation event occurrence component 206Bmay also be configured to identify occurrences of simulation eventsbased on use of a physical object, but from the perspective ofsimulation device 206 and/or environmental information component 206G.

Environmental information component 206F, like environmental informationcomponent 204D of simulation adapter 204 may be configured to obtaininformation regarding the surrounding actions, elements, or otherrelevant factors or aspects of the surrounding environment that mayimpact or be affected by the use of the physical object. However, suchenvironmental information is obtained at or from the perspective ofsimulation device 206. In some embodiments, use of simulation adapter204 is bypassed, and a configuration profile is directly input to orreceived at simulation device 206. In such embodiments, environmentalinformation component 206F may be used to obtain all relevantinformation regarding the surrounding actions, elements, or otherrelevant factors or aspects of the surrounding environment that mayimpact or be affected by the use of the physical object rather than inaddition to that sensed or obtained via simulation adapter 204.

Sensor 206G, like sensor 204E of simulation adapter 204 may include oneor more of image sensors, temperature sensors, vehicle speed sensors,wheel speed sensors, motion sensors, accelerometers, tilt sensors,inclination sensors, angular rate sensors, gyroscopes, navigationsensors, geolocation sensors, magnetometers, radar detectors, radarsensors, proximity sensors, distance sensors, vibration sensors, lightdetection sensors, vehicle sensors, engine control module sensors,and/or other sensors. In some embodiments, sensors may further includecameras or any other component that captures environmental information.In some implementations, sensor 206G may be installed in simulationdevice 206. In some implementations, sensor 206G may be worn by the useror may be installed in or otherwise coupled to simulation device 206. Itshould be noted that although only one sensor 206G is illustrated,various embodiments contemplate the use of more than one sensor or somecombination of the aforementioned sensors.

Simulation events obtained from simulation event occurrence component204B, as well as simulation events determined by simulation eventoccurrence component 206B may be communicated to simulation provisioncomponent 206E. Simulation provision component 206E may be configured toprovide a simulated experience by operating simulation devicepresentation output device 220. The simulation experience can beachieved through one or more of visual, audio, haptic and/or othersimulation, where the visual, audio, haptic, and/or other simulationchanges responsive to simulation event occurrences and simulationstimuli. The simulation event occurrences and/or simulation stimuli maybe based on the characteristics and performance associated with physicalobject 202.

Simulation stimulation generation component 206C of simulation device206 may be configured to generate simulation stimuli that correspond tosimulation events for which occurrences are identified. Simulationstimuli generation component 206C may also transmit instructions tosimulation stimuli generation component 204C of simulation adapter 204that direct simulation stimuli generation component 204C to generatesimulation stimuli local to the user and physical object 202.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example simulation experience with a physicalobject provided to a user in accordance with various embodiments. A user300 may wish to engage in a simulation experience, such as through acomputer game or AR/VR experience utilizing physical object 302, i.e., areal-world racquet. The simulation experience may be provided by agaming console 306 in which a simulation device may be embodied.Physical object 302 is distinguished from a conventional paddlecontroller 307 usually associated with gaming console 306 forinteracting in the simulation experience.

To utilize physical object 302, user 300 may attach a simulation adapter304 to physical object 302. The manner in which simulation adapter 304is attached to physical object 302 can vary. In some embodiments,simulation adapter 304 is provided with a reusable adhesive allowinguser 300 to attach simulation adapter 304 to physical object 302. Insome embodiments, simulation adapter 304 may be configured with one ormore attachment mechanisms, such as a Velcro or buckled strap, a clamp,a magnet, a suction cup, or other attachment mechanism.

In this embodiment, simulation adapter 304 may include a tracking marker320 which can be sensed visually, through one or more electronictransmissions, etc. FIG. 3 illustrates two tracking sensors 322 and 324.In this embodiment, tracking sensor 322 may be implemented at simulationdevice 306, while tracking sensor 324 may be implemented anywhere a userwishes to locate a sensor, such as on a room wall. It should be notedthat more or less tracking sensors may be utilized in accordance withvarious embodiments. Although not necessary in all embodiments, the useof a tracking marker and tracking sensor(s) can increase the precisionof a simulation experience by increasing the amount of data indicativeof the movement and/or positioning of physical object 302.

User 300 may select a characteristics profile for physical object 302through a user interface on simulation adapter 304, by communicativelyconnecting simulation adapter 304 to a computing device or smart phone,etc. Selection of the characteristics profile can occur at any time andneed not only occur upon attachment of simulation adapter 304 tophysical object 302. As described above, user 300 may wish to calibratesimulation adapter 304.

A simulation experience may be initiated via gaming console 306. Asillustrated, user 300 may now utilize physical object 302 toparticipate, interact, control, or otherwise engage in the simulationexperience, which may be presented on a presentation output device 310,i.e., a TV. Depending on the characteristics profile selected by user300 and/or any alterations to one or more characteristics containedwithin the characteristics profile, the simulation device embodied as orwithin gaming console 306 can generate an accurate representation andexperience for user 300. The simulation device may obtain a performanceprofile commensurate with the characteristics profile, exchangesimulation event occurrence information with simulation adapter 304,provide and/or instruct simulation adapter 304 to generate simulationstimuli, etc. In this way, user 300 can engage in a more accuratesimulation experience than can be provided by conventional controller307.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example simulation experience with a physicalobject provided to a user in accordance with various embodiments. A user400 may wish to engage in a simulation experience, such as through acomputer game or AR/VR experience utilizing physical object 402, i.e., areal-world sword toy built at an amusement park, that the user hasbrought home. The simulation experience may be provided by an HMD 410 inwhich a simulation device and presentation output device may beembodied.

To utilize physical object 402, user 400 may attach a simulation adapter404 to physical object 402. User 400 may select a characteristicsprofile for physical object 402 through a user interface on simulationadapter 404, by communicatively connecting simulation adapter 404 to acomputing device or smart phone, etc. In this embodiment, thecharacteristics profile for physical object 402 may be obtained byestablishing a connection to the amusement park server/database whichmay be an embodiment of server 216/database 218 (see FIG. 2A). Thecharacteristics profile may have been created upon user 400 buildingphysical object 402 and stored in the amusement park server/database.User 400 may have been given a universal resource locator (URL) fromwhich the characteristics profile can be obtained by simulation adapter404. Alternatively, simulation adapter 404 may have been configured withthe characteristics profile at the amusement park.

A simulation experience may be initiated via HMD 410. As illustrated,user 400 may now utilize physical object 402 (represented as a virtualsword 411) to participate, interact, control, or otherwise engage in thesimulation experience, which may be presented through HMD 410. Dependingon the characteristics profile selected by user 400, the simulationdevice embodied as or within HMD 410 can generate an accuraterepresentation and experience for user 400. The simulation device 404may obtain a performance profile commensurate with the characteristicsprofile, exchange simulation event occurrence information to generatesimulation stimuli (such as sword sound effects), etc.

It should be noted that user 400 may elect to change one or morecharacteristics associated with physical object 402, such as the coloror style. User 400 can change such characteristics via a user interfaceintegrated into simulation adapter 404 or via a connected computingdevice user interface, such as a smart phone application.

It should be further noted that in the context of the simulationexperience presented to user 400, user 400 may be given the opportunityto “unlock” and play with other versions of the virtual object, e.g., avirtual sword having different characteristics, such as more power inthe simulation experience, a different color in the simulationexperience, etc. Unlocking these other versions may be predicated uponuser 400 paying an upgrade fee within the simulation experience, whichmay be an online gaming experience. Further still, user 400 may be givenan opportunity to purchase an upgraded or modified version of thephysical object itself. Accordingly, HMD 410 may be configured withfunctionality to present a transaction interface and/or connectivity toa service provider so that the user 400 can engage in a transaction topurchase the upgraded or modified version of the physical object.

The functionality described in the present disclosure can also beutilized in the context of testing physical objects and/or the sale ofcustomizable products. For example, a simulation adapter may be used toallow a user to demo a “base-level” automobile using an HMD. A usersitting in the base-level automobile may get a simulation experience ofbeing in the automobile and/or driving the automobile per a base-levelcharacteristics profile of the automobile. The user may then change oneor more characteristics and virtually experience the updated automobile.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example computing module that may be used toimplement various features of the system and methods disclosed herein,for example, one or more elements of system 200, such as simulationadapter 204 and simulation device 206.

As used herein, the term module might describe a given unit offunctionality that can be performed in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present application. As used herein, a module mightbe implemented utilizing any form of hardware, software, or acombination thereof. For example, one or more processors, controllers,ASICs, PLAs, PALs, CPLDs, FPGAs, logical components, software routinesor other mechanisms might be implemented to make up a module. Inimplementation, the various modules described herein might beimplemented as discrete modules or the functions and features describedcan be shared in part or in total among one or more modules. In otherwords, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art afterreading this description, the various features and functionalitydescribed herein may be implemented in any given application and can beimplemented in one or more separate or shared modules in variouscombinations and permutations. Even though various features or elementsof functionality may be individually described or claimed as separatemodules, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that thesefeatures and functionality can be shared among one or more commonsoftware and hardware elements, and such description shall not requireor imply that separate hardware or software components are used toimplement such features or functionality.

Where components or modules of the application are implemented in wholeor in part using software, in one embodiment, these software elementscan be implemented to operate with a computing or processing modulecapable of carrying out the functionality described with respectthereto. One such example computing module is shown in FIG. 5. Variousembodiments are described in terms of this example—computing module 500.After reading this description, it will become apparent to a personskilled in the relevant art how to implement the application using othercomputing modules or architectures.

Referring now to FIG. 5, computing module 500 may represent, forexample, computing or processing capabilities found within aself-adjusting display, desktop, laptop, notebook, and tablet computers;hand-held computing devices (tablets, PDA's, smart phones, cell phones,palmtops, etc.); workstations or other devices with displays; servers;or any other type of special-purpose or general-purpose computingdevices as may be desirable or appropriate for a given application orenvironment. Computing module 500 might also represent computingcapabilities embedded within or otherwise available to a given device.For example, a computing module might be found in other electronicdevices such as, for example navigation systems, portable computingdevices, and other electronic devices that might include some form ofprocessing capability.

Computing module 500 might include, for example, one or more processors,controllers, control modules, or other processing devices, such as aprocessor 504. Processor 504 might be implemented using ageneral-purpose or special-purpose processing engine such as, forexample, a microprocessor, controller, or other control logic. In theillustrated example, processor 504 is connected to a bus 502, althoughany communication medium can be used to facilitate interaction withother components of computing module 500 or to communicate externally.

Computing module 500 might also include one or more memory modules,simply referred to herein as main memory 508. For example, preferablyrandom access memory (RAM) or other dynamic memory, might be used forstoring information and instructions to be executed by processor 504.Main memory 508 might also be used for storing temporary variables orother intermediate information during execution of instructions to beexecuted by processor 504. Computing module 500 might likewise include aread only memory (“ROM”) or other static storage device coupled to bus502 for storing static information and instructions for processor 504.

The computing module 500 might also include one or more various forms ofinformation storage mechanism 510, which might include, for example, amedia drive 512 and a storage unit interface 520. The media drive 512might include a drive or other mechanism to support fixed or removablestorage media 514. For example, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive,a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a compact disc (CD) ordigital video disc (DVD) drive (R or RW), or other removable or fixedmedia drive might be provided. Accordingly, storage media 514 mightinclude, for example, a hard disk, an integrated circuit assembly,magnetic tape, cartridge, optical disk, a CD or DVD, or other fixed orremovable medium that is read by, written to or accessed by media drive512. As these examples illustrate, the storage media 514 can include acomputer usable storage medium having stored therein computer softwareor data.

In alternative embodiments, information storage mechanism 510 mightinclude other similar instrumentalities for allowing computer programsor other instructions or data to be loaded into computing module 500.Such instrumentalities might include, for example, a fixed or removablestorage unit 522 and an interface 520. Examples of such storage units522 and interfaces 520 can include a program cartridge and cartridgeinterface, a removable memory (for example, a flash memory or otherremovable memory module) and memory slot, a PCMCIA slot and card, andother fixed or removable storage units 522 and interfaces 520 that allowsoftware and data to be transferred from the storage unit 522 tocomputing module 500.

Computing module 500 might also include a communications interface 524.Communications interface 524 might be used to allow software and data tobe transferred between computing module 500 and external devices.Examples of communications interface 524 might include a modem orsoftmodem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet, network interfacecard, WiMedia, IEEE 802.XX or other interface), a communications port(such as for example, a USB port, IR port, RS232 port Bluetooth®interface, or other port), or other communications interface. Softwareand data transferred via communications interface 524 might typically becarried on signals, which can be electronic, electromagnetic (whichincludes optical) or other signals capable of being exchanged by a givencommunications interface 524. These signals might be provided tocommunications interface 524 via a channel 528. This channel 528 mightcarry signals and might be implemented using a wired or wirelesscommunication medium. Some examples of a channel might include a phoneline, a cellular link, an RF link, an optical link, a network interface,a local or wide area network, and other wired or wireless communicationschannels.

Further still, computing module 500 may include a user interface 530.User interface 530 may comprise a display, a physical input mechanismsuch as one or more buttons, softkeys, or other actuatable components,or a combination thereof.

In this document, the terms “computer program medium” and “computerusable medium” are used to generally refer to transitory ornon-transitory media such as, for example, memory 508, storage unit 520,media 514, and channel 528. These and other various forms of computerprogram media or computer usable media may be involved in carrying oneor more sequences of one or more instructions to a processing device forexecution. Such instructions embodied on the medium, are generallyreferred to as “computer program code” or a “computer program product”(which may be grouped in the form of computer programs or othergroupings). When executed, such instructions might enable the computingmodule 500 to perform features or functions of the present applicationas discussed herein.

Although described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments andimplementations, it should be understood that the various features,aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individualembodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particularembodiment with which they are described, but instead can be applied,alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the otherembodiments of the application, whether or not such embodiments aredescribed and whether or not such features are presented as being a partof a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the presentapplication should not be limited by any of the above-describedexemplary embodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unlessotherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposedto limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” shouldbe read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item indiscussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or“an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or thelike; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,”“standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construedas limiting the item described to a given time period or to an itemavailable as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompassconventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may beavailable or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, wherethis document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known toone of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass thoseapparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in thefuture.

The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “atleast,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instancesshall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or requiredin instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The use of theterm “module” does not imply that the components or functionalitydescribed or claimed as part of the module are all configured in acommon package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of amodule, whether control logic or other components, can be combined in asingle package or separately maintained and can further be distributedin multiple groupings or packages or across multiple locations.

Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described interms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations.As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art afterreading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their variousalternatives can be implemented without confinement to the illustratedexamples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying descriptionshould not be construed as mandating a particular architecture orconfiguration.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:obtaining a characteristics profile comprising one or more visual andphysical characteristics indicative of a non-human physical object,wherein a simulation adapter is attached to the non-human physicalobject; transmitting the characteristics profile to a simulation device;generating a representation of the non-human physical object in asimulation experience generated by the simulation device commensuratewith the one or more visual and physical characteristics; andreflecting, in the simulation experience, real-world simulation eventsinvolving the non-human physical object using the representation of thenon-human physical object; wherein: the simulation device is configuredto generate the simulation experience based upon environmentalconditions impacted by use of the non-human physical object.
 2. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising at least oneof: retrieving the characteristics profile from one or more of a localmemory of the simulation adapter, a memory unit of the simulationdevice, or a memory unit of the remotely located service provider; orassociating a characteristics profile value stored within one or more ofthe local memory of the simulation adapter with the characteristicsprofile stored in the memory unit of the simulation device or the memoryunit of the remotely located service provider.
 3. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the simulationexperience comprises at least one of an augmented reality (AR), avirtual reality (VR), a product testing, or a gaming experience.
 4. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising receivingstimuli generation information instructing the simulation adapter togenerate stimuli in response to the simulation events.
 5. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the stimuli comprises atleast one of audio, visual, or haptic feedback stimuli.
 6. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising calibratingthe simulation adapter to the physical object.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the characteristicsprofile is a first characteristics profile and the non-human physicalobject is a first non-human physical object, the computer-implementedmethod further comprising: obtaining a second characteristics profilecomprising one or more visual and physical characteristics indicative ofa second non-human physical object; transmitting the secondcharacteristics profile to the simulation device; generating at leastone of: a representation of the second non-human physical object in thesimulation experience generated by the simulation device; or a secondsimulation experience generated by the simulation device commensuratewith the one or more visual and physical characteristics of the secondcharacteristics profile; and reflecting real-world simulation eventsinvolving the second non-human physical object in the simulationexperience generated by the simulation device or the second simulationexperience generated by the simulation device.
 8. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: obtainingthe environmental conditions from one or more sensors associated withthe simulation adapter; and transmitting the environmental conditions tothe simulation device.
 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8,wherein the one or more sensors comprise one or more of image sensors,audio sensors, temperature sensors, vehicle speed sensors, wheel speedsensors, motion sensors, accelerometers, tilt sensors, inclinationsensors, angular rate sensors, gyroscopes, navigation sensors,geolocation sensors, magnetometers, radar detectors, radar sensors,proximity sensors, distance sensors, vibration sensors, light detectionsensors, vehicle sensors, engine control module sensors, or acombination thereof.
 10. A computer-implemented method, comprising:receiving at a simulation device, a characteristics profile comprisingone or more visual and physical characteristics indicative of anon-human physical object; matching the characteristics profile of thenon-human physical object with a performance profile corresponding tothe characteristics profile; generating a representation of thenon-human physical object in a simulation experience based upon at leastone of the one or more visual and physical characteristics, whereinsimulation events related to real-world use of the non-human physicalobject are reflected in the simulation experience based upon theperformance profile; and obtaining the performance profile from a localmemory unit of the simulation device and a memory unit of a serviceprovider, wherein the characteristics profile is received from at leastone of a simulation adapter attached to the non-human physical objectthat is configured to communicate simulation event occurrenceinformation to the simulation device or a remote data source accessibleby the simulation adapter, wherein the simulation device is configuredto generate the simulation experience based upon environmentalconditions impacted by use of the non-human physical object.
 11. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising receivingthe simulation event occurrence information from one or more sensorsassociated with the simulation device.
 12. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 10, further comprising receiving changes to the one ormore visual and physical characteristics related to the non-humanphysical object and updating the simulation experience based upon atleast one of the one or more changes to the one or more visual andphysical characteristics.
 13. The computer-implemented method of claim10, further comprising presenting at least one of an option to purchasean updated virtual representation of the non-human physical object or anoption to purchase a real-world analog commensurate with the virtualrepresentation of the non-human physical object.
 14. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising: analyzingsimulation event occurrence information associated with the non-humanphysical object; and at least one of generating simulation stimuli orgenerating instructions regarding simulation stimuli for transmission toand execution by the simulation adapter attached to the non-humanphysical object.
 15. The computer-implemented method of claim 10,wherein the one or more sensors comprise one or more of image sensors,audio sensors, temperature sensors, vehicle speed sensors, wheel speedsensors, motion sensors, accelerometers, tilt sensors, inclinationsensors, angular rate sensors, gyroscopes, navigation sensors,geolocation sensors, magnetometers, radar detectors, radar sensors,proximity sensors, distance sensors, vibration sensors, light detectionsensors, vehicle sensors, engine control module sensors, or acombination thereof.
 16. A system, comprising: a simulation deviceconfigured to generate a simulation experience including arepresentation of one or more visual and physical characteristicsassociated with a non-human physical object and one or more simulationevent occurrences in the real-world associated with the non-humanphysical object; a simulation adapter attached to the non-human physicalobject and configured to communicate the one or more visual and physicalcharacteristics associated with the non-human physical object and theone or more simulation event occurrences in the real-world associatedwith the non-human physical object to the simulation device; and one ormore local and remote data repositories in communication with at leastone of the simulation device or the simulation adapter, the one or morelocal and remote depositories storing the one or more visual andphysical characteristics of the non-human physical object and aperformance profile representative of one or more responsive actionsbased upon the one or more visual and physical characteristics of thenon-human physical object, wherein the simulation device is configuredto generate the simulation experience based upon environmentalconditions relative to the non-human physical object that impact or areaffected by use of the non-human physical object.
 17. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the simulation adapter comprises a simulation stimuligeneration component configured to at least one of: generate stimuli inresponse to the one or more simulation event occurrences; or receiveinstructions from the simulation device to generate stimuli in responseto the one or more simulation event occurrences.
 18. The system of claim16, wherein at least one of the simulation adapter and the simulationdevice comprise one or more sensors configured to sense actions of orrelative to the non-human physical object and the environmentalconditions relative to the non-human physical object.
 19. The system ofclaim 18, wherein the one or more sensors comprise one or more of imagesensors, audio sensors, temperature sensors, vehicle speed sensors,wheel speed sensors, motion sensors, accelerometers, tilt sensors,inclination sensors, angular rate sensors, gyroscopes, navigationsensors, geolocation sensors, magnetometers, radar detectors, radarsensors, proximity sensors, distance sensors, vibration sensors, lightdetection sensors, vehicle sensors, engine control module sensors, or acombination thereof.